Jenny McCarthy is firing back at Amanda Peet in a new interview in Spectrum Magazine. The 35-year-old actress and mother of an autistic child said, “(Peet) has a lot of [nerve] to come forward and be on that side, because there is an angry mob on my side, and I like the fact that I can say she’s completely wrong.” She added, “I look at (Peet) now and say to myself, ‘That was me before I had autism in my life,’ and until she walks in our shoes, she really has no idea.”

Oh, snap!

In addition, the national autism advocacy group Autism United is calling for a boycott of all of Amanda Peet’s movies. “We want to send a clear message to her,” says Executive Director John Gilmore. “Our community will not support the continued misinformation that is funneled into the media by organizations like ECBT and the American Academy of Pediatrics. We are not against vaccines, rather we are for safe vaccines. Until they understand that, we won’t back down. Ms. Peet’s comments are deplorable and an apology will not suffice. We applaud Jenny McCarthy’s continued efforts and for speaking up for our community.”

[Update: Welcome Scienceblogs readers! Welcome Age of Autism Readers! Yes, the below poll has been influenced by many different sites — and as such, it serves as a very poor feedback item. As some have mentioned, the best course of action going forward is to scrap polling on a topic like this one in favor of comments only. Thank you all for your insights on this. I also want to thank those from both sides who are commenting respectfully and listening to what people have to say.]

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0 Comments

Dr. Tim

Sorry folks, this isn’t the Socialist Republic of Obama, this is the USA, and Amanda Peet has EVERY BIT AS MUCH RIGHT to voice her opinion. While it is tragic that there are side effects to vaccines, there is valid science in their favor. What is more serious is your intolerance to opposing opinions, too bad there isn’t a vaccine for that.

Nikki Santoro

Yeah the science of money. So you labcoat monkeys can have people for life with all the problems that vaccines cause.

*Amena*

Like they said in the statement, once you understand the fact that they are not trying to take away the vaccine. They only want to make it more safe to use the vaccine. What is absolutely %100 deadly serious is you put Dr on your name & I pray you threw it in there to look cool, because someone who cannot read & comprehend a simple paragraph has no business even taking their own temperature.

GemeniDreams

Take the ‘CAP’ lock off, your post looks like an old fashioned western union telegram.

mplo

I side with Amanda Peet on this one. Jenny McCarthy and others who manipulate parents who are fearful of autism due to not knowing what it is, into not having their children vaccinated against deadly but preventable diseases, are completely and totally irresponsible and don’t care who dies or becomes permanently incapacitated by some lethal but avoidable diseases, Up with Amanda Peet! Keep firing away, Amanda Peet. We need more people like you to speak up!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

mplo

There IS no link between vaccines and autism. That so-called “link” between vaccines and autism was disproved and tossed out by the wayside a long time ago. British-born Dr. Andrew Wakefield, who began the anti-vaccine movement, lost his license to practice medicine, because it was found that he’d deliberately and knowingly used falsified data for his so-called “study” on this subject. Moreover, Wakefield DESERVED to lose his license. It serves him right.

mplo

Jenny McCarthy, imho, is not to be trusted. She’s just a former nude model who only knows how to tout her **** around in public.

Kat

Actually, increased awareness of autism is probably he reason behind the apparent “increase”. Parents and teachers are more aware of autism, and it is less stigmatized so they are more willing to get their child assessed, or notice that a child has autism. The same thing has happened with dyslexia and dyspraxia. Teachers are more aware of the signs, how it can affect life, and it is easier to get an assessment of special educational needs – I speak from experience, I am dyspraxic and I managed to get diagnosed and the proper support eventually, in the 80’s, my uncle (who is dyslexic and very intelligent), got labelled as”thick” and spent most of his time in trouble at school.
It is possible, plausible and probable that autistic children were frequently missed in the 80’s, as a condition it as not as well known. Families are not “ruined” by autistic children, they are frequently some of the most amazing, thought provoking, talented, kind, compassionate and intelligent individuals, they just struggle because society is not built for them, and families are often enriched by autistic children who add the spice to life.
There is no evidence to suggest a link between vaccination and autism, and even if there was, I wouldn’t care, we are focusing too much on finding a cause, and not enough on providing support.

The cause of autism is probably genetic, and it does not really matter, if we give a child the right support then the autism becomes a part of their identity, and they can learn, love and live like everyone else. I have had autistic friends, and I am currently working towards training so I can support individuals who have autism, specific learning differences, learning disabilities, mental health issues, and other neurological and physical conditions (occupational therapy).

We need a societal attitude change, focusing less on curing conditions like autism spectrum disorders, learning differences and the like, (even if there was a cure for my dyspraxia, I wouldn’t take it, nor would many other people dyspraxia), and more on support, and acceptance. Your comments are not helpful, and you clearly have never spent any time with an autistic child, adult or teenager.

Kat

Your child isn’t cursed. Autism isn’t a curse in the slightest. If any of my future children turn out to be autistic, I wouldn’t consider them cursed. The attitude does not help in the slightest